A Predator From East Africa That Chooses Malaria Vectors As Preferred Prey
Anopheles holds its body at a 45 degree angle relative to the substrate when resting, whereas other mosquitoes rest with their bodies parallel to the surface of the substrate. We investigated whether the characteristic resting posture of Anopheles was a cue E. culicivora uses to distinguish these mosquitoes from others. To do this we drew 3D virtual mosquitoes whose movement was based on frame-by-frame copying of digital video footage of grooming Anopheles. The use of virtual mosquitoes eliminated variables except the variable in question. We found the single most important visual cue used to distinguish Anopheles mosquitoes is its resting position. Finding a predator that chooses Anopheles as its preferred prey shows that we should not abandon efforts to search for avenues for the biological control of malaria.
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Un prãdãtor de la Africa de Vest, care alege vectorii malariei preferat ca pradã - A Predator From East Africa That Chooses Malaria Vectors As Preferred Prey - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate